The Fighting Illini swimming and diving team will open the 2014-15 season against in-state rival Northwestern this Friday at 5 p.m. CT in Evanston, Ill.
“They always have some very talented kids on their team,” head coach Sue Novitsky said. ” Last year it was a very close meet and I think it’s going to be a tight one this year. They’re very well coached.”
Northwestern holds a 17-7 lead in the all-time series, including a 166-133 victory over the Illini in last year’s competition. This meet marks the first contest of the season for the Wildcats, who finished tenth in the Big Ten in 2013-14.
The Illini will come into the meeting riding the success of the Orange and Blue intra-squad meet in which they set four meet records. The team hopes to continue their early success into the regular season.
“They have some strong kids in certain events, but we think we can put up a good match-up against them,” Novitsky said. ” I think it’s going to come down to those fourth and fifth place spots, where getting 2 points or 1 point make that big swing come the end.”
College Swimming News courtesy of the University of Illinois.
